Apparatus for and method of processing biological samples

Abstract

The present invention provides systems, devices, apparatuses and methods for automated bioprocessing. Examples of protocols and bioprocessing procedures suitable for the present invention include but are not limited to immunoprecipitation, chromatin immunoprecipitation, recombinant protein isolation, nucleic acid separation and isolation, protein labeling, separation and isolation, cell separation and isolation, food safety analysis and automatic bead based separation. In some embodiments, the invention provides automated systems, automated devices, automated cartridges and automated methods of western blot processing. Other embodiments include automated systems, automated devices, automated cartridges and automated methods for separation, preparation and purification of nucleic acids, such as DNA or RNA or fragments thereof, including plasmid DNA, genomic DNA, bacterial DNA, viral DNA and any other DNA, and for automated systems, automated devices, automated cartridges and automated methods for processing, separation and purification of proteins, peptides and the like.

We claim: 
     
       1. A bioprocessing cartridge comprising:
 a first bioprocessing chamber, wherein the first bioprocessing chamber includes first solid support, and wherein the first solid support comprises a cell lysate clarification filter; 
 a second bioprocessing chamber, wherein the second bioprocessing chamber has a fluid volume between about 250 μl and about 100 ml and includes a second solid support, wherein the second solid support comprises a plurality of magnetic beads; 
 a plurality of fluid channels in fluid communication with the at least one bioprocessing chamber, wherein at least two of the plurality of fluid channels have differentially sized diameters; 
 at least one access valve, wherein the access valve is placed within a flow path between a fluid connector and one of the plurality of fluid channels, each fluid connector configured to fluidly connect the cartridge to at least one fluid container; and 
 at least one control fluid connector, wherein the at least one control fluid connector is configured to form a sealed connection with a control fluid manifold and to provide a control fluid to actuate the at least one access valve. 
 
     
     
       2. The bioprocessing cartridge of  claim 1  further comprising a third bioprocessing chamber, wherein the third bioprocessing chamber includes a third solid support, and wherein the third solid support comprises a cell separation filter. 
     
     
       3. The bioprocessing cartridge of  claim 1  further comprising at least one slot alignment guide. 
     
     
       4. The bioprocessing cartridge of  claim 1  further comprising control fluid channels in fluid communication with the at least one control fluid connector. 
     
     
       5. The bioprocessing cartridge of  claim 1  wherein the control fluid is air pressure. 
     
     
       6. The bioprocessing cartridge of  claim 1  wherein the cartridge comprises at least two fluid layers. 
     
     
       7. The bioprocessing cartridge of  claim 1  wherein the second bioprocessing chamber has a fluid volume between about 300 μl and about 100 ml. 
     
     
       8. The bioprocessing cartridge of  claim 7  wherein the second bioprocessing chamber has a fluid volume between about 500 μl and about 100 ml. 
     
     
       9. The bioprocessing cartridge of  claim 1  wherein the plurality of fluid channels has diameters between about 500 μm and about 2 mm. 
     
     
       10. The bioprocessing cartridge of  claim 1  wherein the fluid connector has a diameter between about 250 μm and about 2.5 mm. 
     
     
       11. The bioprocessing cartridge of  claim 1  wherein the fluid connector has a diameter that tapers from a proximal diameter to a distal diameter, and wherein the proximal diameter is larger than the distal diameter. 
     
     
       12. The bioprocessing cartridge of  claim 11  wherein the proximal diameter is between about 0.5 mm and about 15 mm, and wherein the distal diameter is between about 10 μm and about 10 mm.